Improvement in devices for steadying wagon-poles



R. VAIIQSEADERS.

Improvement in Device for Steadying Wagon Poles.

No. 122,334, r V Patent edlanl2 l872.

V L A g UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

IMPROVEMENT IN DEVICES FOR STEADYING WAGON-ROLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 122,334, dated January 2, 1872.

. SPEcIFIcATIoN. To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, REUBEN AUsTEN SEAD- ERS, of San Francisco, county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented a Device for Steadyin g Wagon-Poles; and I do hereby de- A clare the following description and accompanying drawing are suflicient to enable any person skilled in the art or science to which it most nearly appertains to make and use my said invention without further invention or experiment.

My invention relates to a steadying attachment for wagon-poles; and is more particularly applicable to the poles of heavy truclmvagons, such as are used for hauling heavy loads in cities. Where these trucks are drawn over cobbled or uneven streets the forward end of the pole is continually thrashing from side to side against the shoulders of the horses, frequently laining them and in a great measure rendering a steady pull impossible. This is occasioned by one of the forward wheels of the wagon striking an obstruction so as to throw the front axle out of line with the rear one. My improvement consists, first, in securing to the upper side of the pole, near the forward end, a rod, which will be parallel with it; and

secondly, in employing an elastic strap for connecting this rod with the collar or hames of the harness of each horse so that the pole will be steadied and prevented from striking the horses.

In order to more fully illustrate and describe my invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which- A represents a section of the forward end of any wagon-pole. B is a rod, whose opposite ends are bent downward and secured in the pole, so that the length of the rod will be slightly above and parallel with the upper face of the pole. C is a cylinder, inside of which is India rubber or other spring, d. This cylinder has a ring, 6, on its lower end, through which the rod B passes. A rod, f, having a ring, 9, at one end, passes through the opposite head of the cylinder and through the spring 01, and has a head, h, which prevents its pulling out. By pulling upon the ring g the spring will be compressed. Two of these cylinders are used as shown, and a strap, chain, or cord, t, is employed for connecting the ring 9 with the collar, hames, or other convenient part of the harness, one passing to each horse. The use of the cylinder with its spring (I and rod f is to render the connection from the rod B to the collar or hames of the harness elastic. It is, therefore, evident that various devices can be substituted in its place. The length of the strap or chain i should he just sufficient to prevent the pole from swinging across and striking the shoulder of the opposite horse, the two straps thus serving to steadythe pole. The elasticity of the spring or some equivalent device is necessary to prevent too sudden a side pull upon the horses when the pole swings back and forth.

This device will not in any manner interfere with the movement of the horses, nor prevent their being backed, as in that case the rings 0 will slide back upon the rod until the horse is in the proper position to pull back, and will always shift along the rod, as occasion requires.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

A device for steadying wagon-poles, consisting of the spring-couplings C, constructed as described, straps or cords i, and rings 0, in combination with the pole A and rod B, all constructed, arranged, and operated as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

REUBEN AUSTEN SEADERS. [L.s.] Witnesses: f

J oHN H. SEAnERs,

J. L. BooNE. l (31) 

